Code of Ethics

Coaches, Team Managers, and Club Officials

We have a responsibility to promote high standards of behavior in the game. Burlington United Soccer Club will implement this code of conduct to ensure soccer can be enjoyed in a safe, positive environment. Remember, youth soccer is a time for players to develop their technical, physical, tactical and social skills. Winning isn’t everything. Play your part and help enforce the Burlington United Soccer Club Code of Conduct for Coaches, Team Managers and Club Officials at all times.

Soccer is the players’ game. The paramount concern of coaches is the holistic development, welfare, enjoyment and safety of their players.

● Coaches, Team Managers and Club Officials bear responsibility for teaching their players to strive for success while playing fairly, observing the Laws of the Game and the highest levels of sportsmanship.
● Coaches, Team Managers and Club Officials shall treat officials with respect and dignity, and shall teach their players to do the same.
● Our opponents are worthy of being treated with respect. Coaches, Team Managers and Club Officials will model such respect for opponents and expect their players to do likewise.
● In both victory and defeat, the behavior of Coaches, Team Managers and Club Officials shall model grace, dignity and composure.
● Coaches, Team Managers and Club Officials shall adhere to the highest standards and the regulations of the institutions they represent: clubs, schools, sponsoring organizations and sports governing bodies.
● Coaches, Team Managers and Club Officials have a responsibility to promote the interests of soccer, including treating media with courtesy, honesty and respect.
● Coaches, Team Managers and Club Officials shall model inclusive behavior, actively supporting cultural diversity while opposing all types of discrimination, including, but not limited to, racism and sexism, at all levels of soccer.
● Coaches, Team Managers and Club Officials are responsible for taking an active role in education about, and prevention and treatment of, drug, alcohol and tobacco abuse, both in their own lives and in the lives of their players.
● Coaches, Team Managers and Club Officials shall refrain from all manner of personal abuse and harassment
of others, whether verbal, physical, emotional or sexual, and shall oppose such abuse and harassment at all levels of soccer.
● Coaches, Team Managers and Club Officials shall respect the declared affiliations of all players, and shall adhere to all guidelines and regulations on recruiting established by the governing bodies having oversight of their teams and leagues.
● Coaches, Team Managers and Club Officials shall seek to honor those who uphold the highest standards and principles of soccer and shall use appropriate protocol to oppose and eliminate all behavior that brings disrepute to the sport ‐ violence, abuse, dishonesty, disrespect and violations of the Laws of the Game and rules governing competition.

On and off the field, I will:
● Show respect to others involved in the game, including match officials, opposing players, coaches, managers, officials and spectators
● Adhere to the laws and spirit of the game
● Promote fair play and high standards of behavior
● Always respect the match official’s decision
● Never enter the field of play without referee’s permission
● Never engage in public criticism of the match officials
● Never engage in, or tolerate, offensive, insulting or abusive language or behavior
● Remember that I am an ambassador and the face of the club

When working with players, I will:
● Place the well‐being, safety and enjoyment of each player above everything, including winning
● Explain exactly what I expect of players and what they can expect from me
● Ensure that all parents/guardians of all players under the age of 18 understand these expectations
● Never engage in or tolerate any form of bullying
● Develop mutual trust and respect with every player to build their self‐esteem
● Encourage each player to accept responsibility for their own behavior and performance
● Ensure all activities I organize are appropriate for the players’ ability level, age and maturity
● Co‐operate fully with others in soccer (e.g. officials, doctors, physiotherapists) for each player’s best interests

I understand that if I do not follow the Code, any/all of the following actions may be taken by the Burlington United Soccer Club. I may be:
● Required to meet with a club director
● Required to meet with a club committee
● Monitored by another club coach or director
● Required to attend an education course
● Suspended or fined by the club
● Required to leave or be fired by the club

Spectators and Parents/Guardians

We have a responsibility to promote high standards of behavior in the game. The Burlington United Soccer Club will implement this code of conduct to ensure soccer can be enjoyed in a safe, positive environment. Remember, youth soccer is a time for players to develop their technical, physical, tactical and social skills. Play your part and help enforce the Burlington United Soccer Club Code of Conduct for Spectators and Parents/Guardians at all times.

I will:
● Remember that children play for FUN
● Applaud effort and good play as well as success
● Always respect the match officials’ decisions
● Remain outside the field of play and within the Designated Spectators’ Area
● Let the coach do their job and not confuse the players by telling them what to do
● Encourage the players to respect the opposition, referee and match officials
● Avoid criticizing a player for making a mistake – mistakes are part of learning
● Never engage in, or tolerate, offensive, insulting, or abusive language or behavior.
● Remember that I am the ambassador and the face of the club

I understand that if I do not follow the Code, any/all of the following actions may be taken by The Burlington United Soccer Club. I may be:
● Issued with a verbal warning from a club official
● Required to meet with a club official
● Required to meet with a club committee
● Obliged to undertake an education course
● Obliged to leave the match venue by the club
● Requested by the club not to attend future games
● Required to leave the club along with any dependents

Players

We have a responsibility to promote high standards of behavior in the game. The Burlington United Soccer Club will implement this code of conduct to ensure soccer can be enjoyed in a safe, positive environment. Remember, youth soccer is a time for players to develop their technical, physical, tactical and social skills. Play your part and help enforce the Burlington United Soccer Club Code of Conduct for Players at all times.

When playing soccer, I will:
● Always play to the best of my ability
● Play fairly – I won’t cheat, complain or waste time
● Respect my team‐mates, the other team, the referee or my coach/manager , and the Burlington United Soccer Club
● Play by the rules, as directed by the referee
● Shake hands with the other team and referee at the end of the game
● Listen and respond to what my coach/team manager tells me
● Talk to the coach and then director if not resolved when unhappy
● Remember that I am the ambassador and the face of the club

I understand that if I do not follow the Code, any/all of the following actions may be taken by the Burlington United Soccer Club. I may:
● Be required to apologize to my team‐mates, the other team, referee, or team coach
● Receive a formal warning from the coach or the club committee
● Be substituted
● Be suspended from training
● Be required to leave the club